The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-27
McNEALLY LEAVES HALIFAX.
His Brother Harry Says that the Bank
VIII Lose Nothing.
Detective Power Puts In a Claim for
the Whole Reward
And Causes Thereby a commotlon
Among the official In Saco.

HALIFAX, N. s., Dec. 26.-Frank G. Me-
Neatly and his brother departed this evening
by train ostensibly for Maine. Before leav-
ing Harry said his brother would not be
likely to cross into the States yet. He talked
of returning to his old home in few weeks
when matters were smoothed over and pub
lie interest in the affair had subsidized Stipen-
diary Motion today surrendered to Consul
Phelan the Kelly letter. which Harry stated
was forcibly taken from him. Harry Nc
Neatly is emphatic in the declaration that
the Saco bank will not lose dollar by the
embezzlement. The brothers still decline to
give any information about what has been
done with the stolen bonds, Public opinion
is that the bank received them back or mas
its clutches upon them.
Frank has made confession Of how he
effected the robbery and made good his es-
cape. He says that the robbery was the
work of moment The idea OF stealing the
bonds and money entered his mind on the
afternoon of Aug. 27. and minute later
they were in his pocket, within an hour he
jumped ON board train and was on his
fight. Within two hours after ne lett ne
would have given the world II he could nave
returned to Saco before the bank opened in
the morning and replaced the securities, but
he was too far away in Vermont. So he con-
tinued to Montreal, and from there he took
steamer for Liverpool on Sept. 3. At Cairo,
Egypt, he got so heartslck and the burden on
his soul was so great that he wrote to the
bank and negotiated for the return Of the Sc
curities. Since that time the bank auth0ri-
ties have known every one OF his movements.
Harry McNeally blames the reporters for
present trouble, and says Frank would never
have been arrested had he not been traced
and located by them.
What the Officials Did.
SACo, Dec. 26.-The claim Of Detective
Power, of Halifax, for the reward offered by
the Saco and Biddeford Saving Institution
published in today's papers, had the effect to
bring the bank officials together for lengthy
consultation. They say the reward was Of
fered for the arrest and conviction of Nc
Neatly and the return of the stolen securi-
ties. The arrest was made, but in country
from which the prisoner could not be extra
dited and the detective had been unable to
get his hand on the stolen bonds or even
learn where they were. Therefore, they
claim that Detective Power has no right to
the reward. Treasurer Kelly's letter, which
lie gave Harry McNeally On the latter's de-
parture for Nova Scotia, and which was
seized by Lawyer Smith, in Halifax, was
written by Treasurer Kelly a few minutes
before train time Friday night and was not
authorized by the bank authorities. lt was
intended, says Treasurer Kelly, for Harry TO
use merely as a means OF identlncati0n
In Halifax, with no idea that it would leave
his hands. This afternoon the trustees OF
the Institution held a meeting at the bank
and passed a vote repudiating Treasurer
Kelly's letter and declaring 1t unauthorized
by the bank authorities. What will be done
with the young defaulter If he returns to
Saco is matter which lies wholly with the
county attorney.
III. H. Burbank, Esq, when interviewed
tonight, said: 81 have held no consultation
with anybody relative to Frank 2. Nc
Neally's return. An Indictment for larceny
was found against him by the grand jury at
the September term of court and 1t is not
within the Jurisdiction of the bank or any
private individual to stop the prosecution OF
the defaulter. A capias writ was ordered by
the court after the grand jury reported, and
If the county attorney does his duty, Nc
Neatly will be arrested and tried. Nobody
has right to state that the local authorities
will not prosecute the case."
But" said the reporter, ii the bank
officers do not see fit to appear against the
prisoner at the trial, what VIII become OIL
the case?" :.
ploases and compel them to appear in court
and give testimony" was Attorney Bur-
banks reply.
Harry McNeally is not expected home be-
fore the last of this week.
The following is the telegram sent by
Power to Mr.. Kelly:
NJ. H. Kelly Treasurer, Sdco.
In compliance with your letter dated 22d inst,
Frank c. McNeally was today delivered into the
custody of his brother, Harry A. McNeally, as
agent for your institution. 1 claim and now de-
nand the full amount of the reward offered by
your institution for McNeally and the stolen prop
erty or otherwise in connection with the robbery,
for which he was arrested and detained by me.
(Signed) N. POWER, Detective.